Research

Learn more about registering

Missing your NAAF family? Reconnect through photos of recent NAAF events. View NAAF Album

Home > Research > Research | Introduction

NAAF’s research program is committed to piecing together the puzzle presented by alopecia areata. Part of NAAF’s mission is to encourage research in alopecia areata, striving to find a cure or acceptable treatment. NAAF accomplishes the research mission by funding an acclaimed research grant program, and seeking out investigators worldwide in the areas of genetics, immunology and clinical research.

For nearly 30 years, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation has represented the interests of patients and families affected by alopecia areata in all of its forms. We have done many things to develop the capabilities and influence of our organization while simultaneously providing needed information and support to our thousands of members. Since our inception, however, one goal has remained out of reach, until now: finding effective treatments that restore hair growth for people affected by alopecia areata.

Treatment Development Program

While our capabilities and influence have grown stronger across the board, this past year produced an unprecedented advancement in our potential to find new and more effective treatments through our Treatment Development Program (TDP), a seven-year program that continues through 2016. With the recognition that treatments available or in development for other autoimmune diseases might also prove efficacious for alopecia areata, the Treatment Development Program takes a multipronged approach to developing safe and effective treatments. NAAF’s ability to move in this exciting direction is the result of our past commitment to sound and responsible research. Read more about the Treatment Development Program here>>>

NAAF has been at the forefront of many fruitful studies that yielded answers to some of the largest questions surrounding the autoimmune disease. We are committed to continuing this search until all of the questions about alopecia areata have been answered and the mechanisms of this disease are clearly understood.

Alopecia Areata Research Summit 2012

From Basepairs to Bedside: Innovations in the Immunology & Clinical Science of Alopecia Areata

Everyone in attendance at the 2012 Alopecia Areata Research Summit, From Basepairs to Bedside: Innovations in the Immunology & Clinical Science of Alopecia Areata, discussed the progress that had been made in alopecia areata research after listening to scientific talks for two days. The summit was held in Bethesda, Maryland at the Hilton Garden Inn on Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30, 2012. The purpose of this summit was to discuss recent progress in understanding the pathogenesis of alopecia areata and chart the course for the future of translational research.

Wilma & Angela At the end of the Alopecia Areata Clinical Research Summit in October 2010 it was emphasized to our researchers from our guest scientists that we did not have a translational platform. Essential to that platform was biomarker studies; new and established animal models; a uniform protocol; incidence and prevalence studies; quality of life studies; burden of disease studies; defined endpoints; defined hair measurement; more genetic and mechanistic studies; genetic and immunological pathway studies; and collaboration with the FDA. Advances have been made in all these areas
Read full Summit Summary here>>